"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? Fashion and dogs; dogs and fashion. At McCarren Park, these wonders abound. Located smack between Williamsburg and Greenpoint and bound by Nassau Avenue, Bayard Street, Lorimer Street, and North 12th Street, McCarren is one of North Brooklyn’s best gathering places and community hubs. Activities on offer include softball, volleyball, soccer, handball, and more, but you’ll also see Brooklynites running on the track, rollerblading around the park’s perimeter, and hoisting each other up in acroyoga poses on the grass. Shopping and dining opportunities fringe the park and make for a bustling atmosphere—including the Greenmarket on Saturdays, a thrift market bursting with vintage clothes on the weekends, Awoke Vintage, Forma Pasta, Bernie’s, Frankels, and more. Any standout features or must-sees? A recent addition to the park is a small food court called McCarren ParkHouse—it has Club Club sandwiches, Blank Street Coffee, and its own bar. There’s also a public pool. Was it easy to get around? Yes. As far as parks go, McCarren is easy to navigate, thanks to its flat layout and paved walkways. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Best for: Summer picnics, fall walks with friends, thrift shopping, leisurely Saturdays, people-watching, and pretending to read on a bench while you side-eye your future husband or fling across the way." - Alex Erdekian
